| Colon Cancer also known Colorectal cancer. | | | | Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients |
| Colon cancer 2nd most deaths for cancers in | | | | with stage IV colon cancer. Surgery remains |
| the US. Colon cancer is cancer that starts in | | | | the primary treatment while chemotherapy and |
| the large intestine (colon) or the rectum | | | | or radiotherapy may be recommended depending |
| (end of the colon). The colon is the part of | | | | on the individual patient's staging. |
| the digestive system where the waste material | | | | High-fiber foods help move waste through your |
| is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon | | | | digestive tract faster, so harmful substances |
| adjacent to the anus. Together, they form a | | | | don't have much contact with the lining of |
| long, muscular tube called the large | | | | the intestine. High-fiber foods are also rich |
| intestine (also known as the large bowel). | | | | in phytonutrients, which appear to protect |
| Tumors of the colon and rectum are growths | | | | against several forms of cancer. Calcium and |
| arising from the inner wall of the large | | | | vitamin D also seem to help protect against |
| intestine. Benign tumors of the large | | | | colorectal cancer. There is certainly just as |
| intestine are called polyps. Cancer of the | | | | much buzz about folate and colorectal cancer |
| colon or rectum is also called colorectal | | | | prevention as there has been about calcium. |
| cancer. In the United States, it is the | | | | The jury is still out on antioxidants and the |
| fourth most common cancer in men and women. | | | | prevention of colorectal cancer. Taking |
| It is the third most common form of cancer | | | | antioxidants, such as vitamin C or |
| and the second leading cause of | | | | carotenoids, may reduce cancer risk but other |
| cancer-related death in the Western world. | | | | studies have failed to back up these results. |
| Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths | | | | Vegetables high in folate, like leafy greens, |
| worldwide per year.Many colorectal cancers | | | | seem to offer particular protection from |
| are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps | | | | colon cancer, especially for those who drink |
| in the colon. These mushroom-like growths are | | | | alcohol. Cruciferous vegetables, like |
| usually benign, but some may develop into | | | | broccoli and cauliflower, also contain |
| cancer over time. | | | | phytochemicals that may prevent damage to |
| | | | colon cells. |
| Colon cancer often causes no symptoms until | | | | |
| it has reached a relatively advanced stage. | | | | Colon Cancer Treatment and Nutrition Tips |
| Thus, many organizations recommend periodic | | | | |
| screening for the disease with fecal occult | | | | 1. Chemotherapy is also used to treat |
| blood testing and colonoscopy. It is common | | | | patients with stage IV colon cancer. |
| in the Western world, and is rare in Asia and | | | | |
| Africa. In countries where the people have | | | | 2. Radiotherapy may be recommended Treatment |
| adopted western diets, the incidence of | | | | fot colon cancer. |
| colorectal cancer is increasing. Most cases | | | | |
| of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous | | | | 3. High-fiber foods help move waste through |
| (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous | | | | your digestive tract faster. |
| polyps. Polyps of the colon and rectum are | | | | |
| almost always benign and usually produce no | | | | 4. Calcium and vitamin D also seem to help |
| symptoms. They may, however, cause painless | | | | protect against colorectal cancer. |
| rectal bleeding or bleeding not apparent to | | | | |
| the naked eye. There may be single or | | | | 5. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin C or |
| multiple polyps. Polyps greater than 1 | | | | carotenoids, may reduce cancer risk but other |
| centimeter have a greater cancer risk | | | | studies have failed to back up these results. |
| associated with them than polyps under 1 | | | | |
| centimeter. Polyps with atypia or dysplasia | | | | 6. Vegetables high in folate, like leafy |
| are also more likely to progress on to colon | | | | greens, seem to offer particular protection |
| cancer. The risk of cancer is much higher in | | | | from colon cancer, especially for those who |
| sessile villous adenomas than in pedunculated | | | | drink alcohol. |
| tubular adenomas. Cancer is found in 40% of | | | | |
| villous adenomas, as compared to 15% in | | | | 7. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and |
| tubular adenomas. | | | | cauliflower, also contain phytochemicals that |
| | | | may prevent damage to colon cells. |